Erasmus Experience in Paris, France by Sarah

Why did you choose to go to Paris, France?

i love france. my family is french, and i wanted to connect with my roots. i love speaking french and wanted to practice more.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

i didn't have a scholarship.

What is the student lifestyle like in Paris?

it's good, at sciences po you only meet with your prof for a course once a week for two hours, there is lots of reading and a few papers, but for the most part it's not too intense of a work load. they know you're away, they take it easy on us.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Paris to other students?

i went to Sciences Po. But yes I would recommend the city!

What is the food like?

the food is amazing, and there's a huge variety. falafels, crepes, sandwhiches, breads, meats, dairy, wine, everything you'd expect to find in france. the food is cheap in comparison to everything else.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Paris?

it did and i would suggest using an agent to help you find accommodation. it was very helpful.

How much does it cost to live in Paris?

pretty costly, really. my apartment was small and shared, it was 1400 euros a month (so 700 each) not including electricity. you cant really go shopping like you'd imagine, clothes and things are just too expensive. but food is cheap, and you dont need to spend money to have fun in paris.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

for me it was quite easy as i already had pretty good french. lots of people speak english, too. sciences po offers french courses for all levels, and there's a conversation exchange programme available too.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Paris from your city?

from vancouver to paris, you'll have to fly.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Paris?

anywhere in the marais or oberkampf. but really, every arrondisement has a great night life.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Paris?

anywhere in canal saint martin. lots of yummy cafe's.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

too many to list. all the museums and galleries, and you can spend the day walking from land mark to land mark, monument to monument.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Paris in the future?

just take a walk every day somewhere new. the city is relatively small, walking is feasable and it's the best way to get to know the city and see everything.